Ok, so I have finally somewhat mastered shooting with my flash off camera and I'm ready to branch out. I swear, I have gone back and forth over and over again about if I want to go minimalist (the strobist) or the whole shabang (big lighting system).

I automatically think smaller is better (heh ) for toting it around if needed and because I am limited on space in my home studio. But, it seems you can purchase a bigger light setup much cheaper than buying a bunch of expensive strobes.

What do yall think?

As if that wasn't enough, then I have the decision of if I go with a couple of hotshoe flashes, do I stick with the Nikon TTL or purchase some inexpensive strobes and get pocket wizards? I already have an SB600, which can't be commander on my D70S, but if I get an SB800, can I have it be commander off camera, or does it have to be on it?

I would like to use the Nikon system if I can if all that I would have to do is buy an SB800, but it must be able to be off-camera, I don't want to be limited with that.

I'm trying of course to get the most flexible system possible that I can build on later, won't become incompatible in a year, incorporate what I have (if possible) and be economical with my money (so I can buy more lenses!) I have yet to make a decision I regret because I really read up on what I need/want before making purchases and I don't want this to be the first!

I think to give you the best advice, some detail on what your primary subjects will be would help.

Edit: D'ohhh, click the link John, click the link. Looking at your website, I would say 'Go big or go home'. The kind of work you're doing, and advertising is the kind where you're (if not right now, eventually) going to want good lighting. I don't think a couple of off-camera flashes will do it. I would say at least two (and probably three) good strobes & umbrellas, as well as regular old reflectors are the way to go.

I'm definitely NOT a studio person, so I suspect others can give you a lot better info, but that's my $00.02 worth.

I have a really nice speedlight setup I've been using for a while (580ex, 430ex and 2 sb600's). I use pocket wizards to trigger them and I can use different brand strobes since I don't use ttl. This system works great up to a point. I'm finding that these strobes do not have enough power for a lot of situations especially if you want them any distance from your subjects. After pushing these lights to the limit it is clear I will need more power and have decided to get a power pack setup. If you are shooting individuals or small groups on location or in a small studio speedlights should be fine otherwise you might want to think about something with more power.

Lyncaa, you are in the same boat as I was just a few weeks ago. I had 1 SB600, so I was leaning towards going the iTTL/CLS route, but the SB800's are expensive, and who knows when Nikon will come out with the next new thing and obsolete all this stuff. I ended up going with some cheap flashes - Vivitar 285HV's ($95 each). I have to work in full manual, but some say that's better, since your exposure is consistent from shot to shot (and actually it's not that hard). For triggering, I went the cheap route and got Cactus V2s receivers, which are ok but not great. You can get skyports or pocket wizards if you need 100% reliability and no misfires.

Thanks guys. I think I will definitely go with the speedlight route for now since with newborns and small children people are asking quite a bit about going to their house or local parks.

If I hit the big time (ok, if I get to where I can at least support my addiction) then maybe I will do the full studio setup, but this seems like something I can build on.

I will go to the camera store and talk to them about my options on different flashes to decide how important I think TTL is. I think once I learn more, I will probably want to go full manual to have consistent lighting if nothing else.

You already have an SB600, do you have a way to get it off your camera? Sticking one flash on a stand with an umbrella makes a huge difference. Adding a 2nd and 3rd flash is nice but is not as a dramatic improvement as getting that first flash off the camera!